Are you getting ready to hit the road and explore the country in an RV? Fall and winter are both a fantastic time to take a vacation. Did you know that roughly 42% of RVers prefer traveling in the cooler months?
Before you travel, you’ll want to make sure you’ve checked all the boxes for safety and fun. Whether this is your maiden voyage or you’re a seasoned RVer, it never hurts to work with a to-do list.
Check out today’s post for some of the essential things to check on your RV before you pull away from the house.
Do all the Lights Work?
Don’t get caught in the dark. A few minutes spent checking headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals will save trouble later. Having a light out can cause you to get pulled over, in addition to being a safety hazard.
Be sure to check your inside lights as well. If you have bunks with curtains that draw for privacy you’ll want to make sure the bunk users have lights that work so they can enjoy their space fully. The same goes for any under-the-cabinet lights that get used a lot.
Are You Ready for the Rain?
Check the windshield wipers and ensure you have enough washer fluid. It’s incredible how much of a difference clean windshields can make, especially if you’re traveling at night or during inclement weather. Plus if you plan to travel to super-cold climates during the winter that may have freeze warnings, you will want to be sure that your wiper-fluid is suitable for colder temperatures. People that live up north often swap their wiper-fluid for winter, so the fluid won’t freeze on contact with the vehicle windows when temperatures dip below freezing.
Check the Tires
Take a minute to check your tires. Make sure you have enough air pressure and that the tread is in good condition.
If you’re headed out of state, it’s not a bad idea to check on these items during each stop for gas or food – just to be safe. If you’re not sure what tire pressure is correct for your RV, or you’re not comfortable checking and airing up, let your RV service tech help.
Turn on the Fridge
Did you know it takes about 24 hours for an RV refrigerator to get cold?
If you plan to bring perishable foods, it’s a good idea to turn on the fridge the day before you leave. Then, load up your cold foods just before you hit the road. Just like at home, avoid opening the refrigerator door so that everything stays cold. You will also want to make sure everyone in the family knows how to make sure the fridge is properly closed for travel.
Do a Battery Check
Since you’ll rely on the house batteries for power, check them before you leave. Using a multimeter or battery voltage checker is the best way to ensure these babies are fully charged and ready to go.
Even if you plan to stay at an RV park with hook-ups, you’ll need battery power for things like the water pump and interior lights while you’re on the road.
Be sure to Unplug
It might make for a hilarious movie script, but failing to do this in real life could create a messy problem. Please don’t pull away from home or your campsite before unplugging. Make sure you unplug from the campground pedestal and disconnect your sewer hose.
Need we say more?
Want to Explore More Things to Check on Your RV?
Preparing for an RV trip can be a lot of fun. Get everyone involved in ticking the boxes on the list of things to check on your RV. For those of you wondering what you should have in your RV tool kit, we have a short video from Mike (Huntsville, AL location) to show you what we’d recommend.
If you want even more tips on preparing for an RV vacation or any other questions related to owning a new RV, contact us. Our team is always happy to help set you up with everything necessary for success.
